Let’s Hit the Trail: From Lavender & Olives to Whiskey & Wolves

By: Drew Henry 

Written for Rio Magazine - November 2019 Issue

Who’s up for a road trip? We have a fun adventure planned that takes you through the Texas Hill Country for sights, but most importantly drinks and eats. Get ready to explore as we check out an olive orchard, sip wine in lavender fields, and finally check out a range of spirits and high spirited fun at a distillery. This journey is all about kicking back, so make sure to stop and smell the rosé.

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard 

Our first stop is at the first commercial olive orchard in Texas, Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard. The orchard sits among a grove of ancient oak trees. Saundra Winokur founded the orchard in 1998, after a lifetime of pursuing her studies of art and travel around the globe, deciding to return to her native Texas to focus on her muse - olive trees. 

The orchard offers opportunities for tours, tastings, shopping handmade olive oil products, workshops, and snacking on antipasto trays among the trees. You can even browse the nursery and take home your very own olive tree. 

On Saturdays, you can enjoy a free tour of the orchard given by the owner herself at 11:30 AM. The kitchen also prepares mouthwatering meals from handed-down recipes that change every Saturday. November specials will include pot roast, enchiladas, meatloaf, and pulled pork. You can even add a dessert, like a sweet limoncello cake or a savory olive oil brownie. 

Sign us up for a workshop too! 

November 9th - Biscotti Workshop: Learn how to make an Italian favorite and take home the treats you make. 

November 30th - Appetizers Featuring Olives Workshop: Be the host with the most and create spreads featuring cheeses, biscuits, olives, and small pie shells with tapenade. 

Becker Vineyards and Lavender Fields 

Now, what pairs perfectly with olives? Wine, of course! Next, we are headed to Becker Vineyards for a tasting experience that is uniquely Texan. Becker Vineyards transports you into a world of relaxation, with notes of lavender. 

Richard and Bunny Becker were searching for a Hill Country vacation home when they saw the land for a vineyard they couldn’t pass up. They began planting grapes and opened their doors in 1996. After trips to Provance to study the art of winemaking, they couldn’t help but notice the region’s affinity for lavender. After falling in love with sipping wine in the fragrant air, they set out to create one of the few lavender fields in Texas. You can even take some lavender home for yourself. The vineyard sells products including potpourri, soaps, lotions, shower gels, herbs de Provence, candles, and dried lavender for cooking. 

But, don’t forget about the wine. Their 10,000 square foot facility is state of the art. They have won international wine competitions and have even been served at multiple White House dinners, making it one of the most prestigious wines made in Texas. Tours are available hourly on weekends, and walk-in tastings are available for small groups, which include six samples and a souvenir glass for $20. Cheers!

Texas Hill Country Wineries’ Texas Wine Trail

If you are a true wine lover, you may be thinking “why just stop at one winery when I can explore all Hill Country has to offer?” We have you covered because now we are hitting the trail - the Texas Wine Trail! Texas Hill Country Wineries is a group of over 50 unique wineries that sprawls through the hills. They have been voted one of the top ten wine travel destinations in the world, so this is a fun trail for everyone from the wine novice to the expert sommelier. 

Texas Hill Country Wineries hosts four wine events a year, where you can purchase an event passport and taste at up to four wineries per day. The next one is The Christmas Wine Affair, which runs from November 29th through December 15th. Tickets start at $45 and include complimentary tastings at each participating winery, discounts, and even some festive gifts! Join for one day or stay for all 17. Tours are self-guided, so make sure to bring a designated driver. 

If you can’t make it for one of the passport events, don’t worry. You can use the interactive map on their website to plan your winery trail. Now grab your wine glass, it’s time to make your path! 

Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery 

If you are not a fan of wine, the next stop on the trail is for you. We are headed to Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery, where there is something for every member of your pack. This craft distillery was conceived in 2013 by a group of friends who wanted to bring Texas attitude to bold spirits. They did just that by creating their bourbon, gin, rum, vodka, and some specialty spirits you won’t find anywhere else. Their most popular creation is Hotscotch, a sweet and spicy whiskey with butterscotch and Texas peppers. They also created Iron Hot, a whiskey with cinnamon and Texas peppers, and Giddy’up!, a horseradish infused vodka. 

They are mixing up craft cocktails at their Still House bar for every palate, including their most popular drink the New Fashioned made with Hotscotch. This month, they are releasing seasonal cocktails including the Hotscotch Toddy and IronHot Chocolate. 

If you came for the drinks, you will want to stay for the fun. The ranch sits on 15 acres complete with 360 degrees Hill Country views and field games like life-sized bourbon pong, horseshoes, cornhole, bocce ball, Jenga, and a nine-hole disc golf course. They are even home to the Sevens Out BBQ food truck, which serves up 5-star rated brisket, ribs, and homemade bread pudding with Hotscotch. 

The weekend fun doesn’t stop there. On Fridays, you have the opportunity to meet Luna the Wolf, who inspired the name. There are also live bands every Saturday, and once a month there is a special after-hours concert. This month it will be on November 9th. Of course, you will also want to make sure to stop by the tasting room to learn about these unique spirits and to get a tour. What are you waiting for, grab your pack and let’s go!